Klaatu Barada Nikto

The 2008 incarnation of the 1951 classic The Day The Earth Stood Still exemplifies artistic expression placed in the hands of number crunchers and promotional mad men. Quite lavish with special effects, the film falls flat when compared to the original version starring Michael Rennie as the benevolent but stern alien Klaatu, and Patricia Neal as Helen Benson. The 2008 version has been updated to keep the politically correct crowd happy as well as appealing to teenagers that gauge a movie by the number of explosions and the amount of terrestrial destruction. The special effects have a synthetic texture and movement like a video game which completely destroys reality and makes the movie feel more like a cartoon. The film is terribly miscast and lines are spoken with all the enthusiasm of artificial voice prompts on a cell phone. Keanu Reeves should retire immediately and shame on Kathy Bates for signing on to a project beneath her artistic abilities. Wait until this film comes out on video to see it (if you must). A comparison to the original is worth it but not for the price of theater admission.